Sikkim sees big jump in tourist numbers, becomes a top destination in the Northeast

Sikkim, a small but beautiful state in the northeast of India, has been seeing a steady rise in the number of tourists over the years. With its green mountains, peaceful monasteries, clean rivers, and friendly people, Sikkim has now become a favorite destination for both Indian and foreign tourists.

According to the latest data shared by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of the Government of Sikkim, more than 15 lakh domestic tourists visited the state in the year 2023, showing a big recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the state has already seen over 4.5 lakh visitors in just the first five months.

In 2014, around 5.6 lakh domestic tourists came to Sikkim. That number more than doubled in just three years, reaching 13.7 lakh in 2017. Even though the pandemic caused a major drop in 2020 and 2021, tourism bounced back strongly. In 2022, Sikkim welcomed over 16 lakh domestic tourists, the highest ever at that point. This trend continued in 2023 and is likely to grow further in 2025.

The month-wise data also shows interesting patterns. For instance, May 2023 saw the highest number of tourists, with more than 3.5 lakh visitors in that month alone. Similarly, April 2023 had over 3.2 lakh tourists, while December also attracted more than 2.2 lakh. These months mark the beginning of summer and the winter holidays, which are popular times for travelers.

Tourist numbers from other countries have also started to grow again. In 2023, Sikkim recorded over 7,000 foreign tourists. This is still less than the pre-COVID numbers, but it shows that international travelers are once again exploring the state. In 2018 and 2019, the number of foreign visitors crossed 9,000 and even touched 14,000 in some years.

The government has been working hard to make Sikkim a better place for tourists. Roads have been improved, more hotels and homestays have opened up, and tourist information centers have been set up at key locations. Adventure tourism, such as trekking, river rafting, and paragliding, has become more popular, especially among young travelers.

Cultural tourism is another big attraction. Sikkim has many old monasteries, traditional festivals, and rich customs that visitors enjoy learning about. Places like Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Yumthang Valley, Pelling, and Lachung continue to be top spots.

Even markets in Itanagar, Siliguri, and Gangtok are seeing a rise in activity because of the tourism flow. The local handicrafts, woolen clothes, and organic food items sold in these markets are especially popular with tourists.

The state government is also looking to attract more foreign visitors by easing travel restrictions and improving internet and communication services in far-off locations. Plans are being made to promote Sikkim more widely in travel fairs and social media platforms.

In short, Sikkim is slowly becoming a shining star in India’s tourism map. With its peaceful environment, safe surroundings, and natural beauty, more and more people are choosing to visit this small Himalayan state. If the current trend continues, the number of visitors in 2025 may break all previous records and bring even more economic growth to the state.